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August 16th, 2008 16:00
External Hard Drive not Recognized
Computer: Inspiron 9300 Model "S" (has a SATA Drive)
O/S: Windows XP Professional with SP3 Installed
I recently purchased from "The Parts-People" a Western Digital 320gb WD3200BEVT drive. I installed into an external case and connected it to my computer via the USB with a cord that will provide additional power; with the intention of using Acronis Mirgate Easy 7.0 software to clone the internal 60gb drive to the new one.
The light on the drive case lights up and does flash.
However, the system does not find the new drive. Just to make sure the system was working, I took another drive I purchased for an older laptop a 250gb WD PATA and tried that, and the system saw it right away.
What can I do to get the system to see my new drive.
I did check to make sure, and my computer is equiped with a SATA drive (Toshiba MK6032GSX)
ejn63
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August 16th, 2008 17:00
Make sure you use one of the following:
A dual-connector USB cable, or
A powered hub, or
An external power supply for the drive.
A single USB port will not power the drive.
DocWhite01
3 Posts
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August 16th, 2008 19:00
I have connected the drive using a powered High Speed USB 2.0 hub, with a double connector Cable. The light on the drives housing is lit, and it flashes. I can hear the drive "seeking".
But still the system will not see the drive.
I have 6 USB ports on the Inspiron 9300 and I have tried them all. Just to rule out that it could be a port problem.
Any other thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
DocWhite01
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August 17th, 2008 18:00
Infosemantics
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October 6th, 2008 08:00
Straight out of the box a new WD drive won't be seen over USB by your PC. However, if you go to WD's website and search for Data Lifeguard Tools you'll be able to download some utilities that enable you to set up the new drive.
I have a Data Lifeguard Tools for DOS CD handy when I need to set up a new drive. Just put the new blank drive in the laptop's drive caddy and use the CD to boot up into the Data Lifeguard Tools. Then look for the utility tha enables you to partition and format the drive.
From then on you should be able to either install a new operating system or swap the new drive over to the USB caddy again and use something like Acronis True Image to clone your old drive onto it.